Effect of Resistance Training on Muscle Quality

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of a periodized resistance training program on muscle cross sectional area, muscle quality, and its impact on daily activity in patients having undergone gastric by-pass surgery.

We hypothesize that resistance training will significantly improve muscle quality and attenuate loss of muscle. Also, resistance training will significantly increase strength. The aims of this study are to look at the effects a 12-week periodized RT program on: 1) muscle cross sectional area 2) absolute strength 3) muscle quality 4) spontaneous daily activity. A secondary aim of this study is to determine if RT impacts muscle density in this population.

Contact Information

Severely obese adult females of all races that have a BMI >or= 35, but <60 kg/m2 who are scheduled for bariatric surgery at one of the surgical centers in the Salt Lake Valley. Total enrollment will be 28 subjects to allow for 4 participants to dropout.

4-Claustrophobia, cardiac pacemakers, or other established contraindications to MRI imaging

5-Post-surgical anemia

6-Current smokers or those having smoked in the past 6 months

7- Musculoskeltal defects which limit activity

Patients with a BMI<35 kg/m2 or >60 kg/m2 will be eliminated as extreme outliers. Patients that develop post-surgical complications which prevent them from further participation in the study will be replaced by a new participant. We estimate a maximum of 4 subjects enrolled will need to be replaced.